By Chioma Obinna
Today, available statistics have shown that estimated 1.6 million people die of HIV&AIDS annually. In Nigeria alone, government reports claim that over 300,000 Nigerians die yearly of complications arising from AIDS.
If these estimated numbers die of HIV/AIDS, have you ever imagined what the situation will be like? Thank God, HIV doesn’t have that ability. If mosquitoes spread HIV the way they spread malaria, millions of people will definitely lose their lives on daily basis, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where mosquitoes are endemic.
Before now, there have been reports about concern of the possibility of mosquitoes transmitting AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when the disease was first recognized and many people still feel that mosquitoes may be responsible for transmission of this infection from one individual to another.
However, Entomologists say that although mosquitoes function the same way as hypodermic needles - they can both inject chemicals and extract blood but cannot transmit HIV.
According to a former Navy Entomologist and Current Technical Advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association, Joe Conlon explains; “If mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus and other blood-borne diseases, shouldn’t they logically be able to transmit HIV, too? It is definitely not a stupid question, but that is not the case. Mosquitoes can not transmit HIV.
Conlon reassured that first of all, when a mosquito bites you, it draws your blood into its gut. Acids there kill the HIV virus.
“Even if the mosquito’s stomach acids did not render the virus harmless, it would not be able to get back out of the insect.
That is because mosquitoes use two different tubes to suck up blood and to inject you with saliva that stops your blood from clotting up while it’s drinking. Even if a mosquito had virus-containing blood from another human inside it, the blood would never exit the bug through its salivary glands and into your blood stream.
“For a mosquito to transmit a disease, it must pick up the virus. The virus has to survive in the gut and then get outside the gut into the body cavity and then eventually into the salivary glands to be injected into something else. It is a very complicated process, and with HIV, it just doesn’t happen,” he explained.
Malaria parasites, on the other hand, are able to grow in the mosquito gut, then, migrate specifically to the salivary glands to continue their lifecycle in another human.
Reasons
Mosquitoes’ mouth parts do not operate like a hypodermic needle. The tube which injects the host with saliva is separate from the canal which the mosquito uses to suck blood from the same host. Therefore blood only flows into the mosquito and only saliva is injected; blood is not flushed out of the same canal.
Insect-borne diseases like Encephalitis and malaria are spread because they multiply within the mosquito, these diseases then move into the insect’s salivary glands and are injected into the host with the saliva. If a mosquito feeds on an HIV-positive person the virus cannot survive and replicate within the mosquito’s gut as HIV requires specialist cells found only in humans in order to multiply.
HIV circulates in the blood at lower levels than malaria and other inset-borne diseases. The mosquito does not take enough units of HIV from the infected person to initiate infection.
Even if it was possible for the mosquito to inject HIV into an uninfected person, the person would have to be bitten by 10 million mosquitoes who had previously been feeding on an HIV positive host in order to receive one unit of HIV.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Monday, 2 September 2013
FG, LASG task states on global health commitments
By CHIOMA OBINNA & MONSUR OLOWOPEJO
STATE governments across the Federation have been tasked to demonstrate unrelenting commitment towards achieving national and global targets in the health sector.
Towards this end, Federal and the State governments are aiming to contribute $100 million to tackle the HIV/AIDS in the state, even as the importance of health insurance has been highlighted as holding the magic answer to some challenges in the health sector.
Speaking at the 56th National Council On Health Meeting NCH, which opened last week at the Civic Center, Lagos, themed ‘Health Sector Now and Beyond 2015’, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said “states needed to strengthen healthcare right from the grassroots, as this would ensure quick realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.”
His words: “The MDGs continue to be the benchmark for our progress in the health sector. We should explore ways of accelerating the attainment of these goals and make efforts to strengthen the health care system even after 2015.”
“We (Federal and state governments) need to make sustained efforts and evaluate our actions in the health sector with a focus on global and national commitments that will translate into better health care delivery in the country.”
Chukwu said the Federal Government had in the past few years recorded great strides in the health sector through President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.
“We have made progress in diseases control and our other goals in the health sector. For example, Lassa Fever has reduced from about 1,100 cases in 2011 to slightly less than a 1000 cases in 2012.Even meningitis has reduced from about 1,000 cases in 2012 to less than 700 cases in 2013.
“Guinea worm that was still prevalent in the country four years ago has been totally eradicated from the country and cases of cholera have been drastically reduced, he said.
Further, he disclosed that the essence of the plan to inject $100m into HIV/AIDS management was to identify priority attention and increase domestic resources.We have also made considerable progress against malaria. Since 2010 we have distributed almost 60 million insecticide treated nets in all states of Federation.
Chukwu said government was strengthening health facilities across the country and enunciating policies aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
Declaring the meeting open, Fashola said the nation’s healthcare sector needs immediate rejuvenation.
“Every state is making intervention in the area of healthcare, in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, training and retraining of healthcare personnel and so on, the story is the same. It is the intensity of activity that is perhaps a little different.
Fashola who observed that people cannot afford health services because they are expected to pay on cash-and-carry basis, said the only way to efficient healthcare is to address inequalities between public and private healthcare.
On the way forward, he asked: “Can we design an insurance system that provides access that will be the responsibility that you and I and all of us can think through and find a way for our people?
“As we think that through, let me share with you the fact that we are already running pilot schemes of health insurance in Lagos, we are in three local governments now and what we see is that the poor can pay, if it is reasonably and sensibly drafted,” Fashola asserted.
STATE governments across the Federation have been tasked to demonstrate unrelenting commitment towards achieving national and global targets in the health sector.
Towards this end, Federal and the State governments are aiming to contribute $100 million to tackle the HIV/AIDS in the state, even as the importance of health insurance has been highlighted as holding the magic answer to some challenges in the health sector.
Speaking at the 56th National Council On Health Meeting NCH, which opened last week at the Civic Center, Lagos, themed ‘Health Sector Now and Beyond 2015’, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said “states needed to strengthen healthcare right from the grassroots, as this would ensure quick realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.”
His words: “The MDGs continue to be the benchmark for our progress in the health sector. We should explore ways of accelerating the attainment of these goals and make efforts to strengthen the health care system even after 2015.”
“We (Federal and state governments) need to make sustained efforts and evaluate our actions in the health sector with a focus on global and national commitments that will translate into better health care delivery in the country.”
Chukwu said the Federal Government had in the past few years recorded great strides in the health sector through President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.
“We have made progress in diseases control and our other goals in the health sector. For example, Lassa Fever has reduced from about 1,100 cases in 2011 to slightly less than a 1000 cases in 2012.Even meningitis has reduced from about 1,000 cases in 2012 to less than 700 cases in 2013.
“Guinea worm that was still prevalent in the country four years ago has been totally eradicated from the country and cases of cholera have been drastically reduced, he said.
Further, he disclosed that the essence of the plan to inject $100m into HIV/AIDS management was to identify priority attention and increase domestic resources.We have also made considerable progress against malaria. Since 2010 we have distributed almost 60 million insecticide treated nets in all states of Federation.
Chukwu said government was strengthening health facilities across the country and enunciating policies aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
Declaring the meeting open, Fashola said the nation’s healthcare sector needs immediate rejuvenation.
“Every state is making intervention in the area of healthcare, in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, training and retraining of healthcare personnel and so on, the story is the same. It is the intensity of activity that is perhaps a little different.
Fashola who observed that people cannot afford health services because they are expected to pay on cash-and-carry basis, said the only way to efficient healthcare is to address inequalities between public and private healthcare.
On the way forward, he asked: “Can we design an insurance system that provides access that will be the responsibility that you and I and all of us can think through and find a way for our people?
“As we think that through, let me share with you the fact that we are already running pilot schemes of health insurance in Lagos, we are in three local governments now and what we see is that the poor can pay, if it is reasonably and sensibly drafted,” Fashola asserted.
NIMR builds capacity on M&E
By CHIOMA OBINNA
To boost outcomes of health research in Nigeria and other African countries, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, has trained 20 researchers from Nigeria and six African countries.
The training which took place in Lagos was aimed at building capacity of researchers to be able to monitor their programmes as they are doing it as well as evaluate the outcome of their programmes at the end.
Director – General, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah who acknowledged the importance of the training particularly for health researchers lamented that Monitoring and Evaluation had been relegated in Nigeria.
“Monitoring and Evaluation is the barometer to know if what researchers are doing is working and to plan for improvement. No nation that has relegated M& E has ever succeeded and that is why many developing countries like Nigeria are yet to be developed. It is like a compass that directs us. In science, we believe that is the best way to go.”
Also speaking, Director of the Programme, Professor Oni Idigbe hinted that the training was supported by a grant from EDCTP, West African Network of TB/AIDS and Malaria, WANETAM, USAID, IANPHI and Measure Evaluation.
“The essence of M&E is to be able to set a target that would enable you achieve the set objectives. It also gives you opportunity to know if the project is progressing or not and gives you opportunity to see what is wrong and correct it. At the end, you now evaluate yourself, Idigbe stated.”
Seven of the participants were drawn from Darkar, Uganda, Ethopia, Gambia, Malawi and Ghana; nine from NIMR and four from other states of the Federation. Bamidele Samson from Measure Evaluation, noted that M&E was an emerging science and is relevant to health research.
To boost outcomes of health research in Nigeria and other African countries, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, has trained 20 researchers from Nigeria and six African countries.
The training which took place in Lagos was aimed at building capacity of researchers to be able to monitor their programmes as they are doing it as well as evaluate the outcome of their programmes at the end.
Director – General, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah who acknowledged the importance of the training particularly for health researchers lamented that Monitoring and Evaluation had been relegated in Nigeria.
“Monitoring and Evaluation is the barometer to know if what researchers are doing is working and to plan for improvement. No nation that has relegated M& E has ever succeeded and that is why many developing countries like Nigeria are yet to be developed. It is like a compass that directs us. In science, we believe that is the best way to go.”
Also speaking, Director of the Programme, Professor Oni Idigbe hinted that the training was supported by a grant from EDCTP, West African Network of TB/AIDS and Malaria, WANETAM, USAID, IANPHI and Measure Evaluation.
“The essence of M&E is to be able to set a target that would enable you achieve the set objectives. It also gives you opportunity to know if the project is progressing or not and gives you opportunity to see what is wrong and correct it. At the end, you now evaluate yourself, Idigbe stated.”
Seven of the participants were drawn from Darkar, Uganda, Ethopia, Gambia, Malawi and Ghana; nine from NIMR and four from other states of the Federation. Bamidele Samson from Measure Evaluation, noted that M&E was an emerging science and is relevant to health research.
Linda, 25, breast cancer patient cries for help
*Warning: This story contains a graphic photo some may find offensive
By SOLA OGUNDIPE
WHEN 25-year-old Linda Godwin, a primary school teacher residing at 11, Odofin Street, Olodi Apapa in Lagos, discovered a tiny lump (seed) in her right breast sometime in January 2012, she had no premonition she was on the threshold of a long and tortuous journey into the agonizing world of cancer.
Today Linda, who hails from Isi Umuozu, Nwangele LGA of Imo State, and is mother of a two and a half-year-old boy, is fighting the battle of her life against late-stage breast cancer.
In the hope to win the battle and survive, she is currently undergoing expensive chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos.
Linda who described her ordeal as the worst imaginable, is passionately appealing to all well meaning Nigerians for financial assistance to complete the therapy and to go abroad for further treatment.
Writhing and groaning in pains, she told a moving tale of anguish, regret and lamentation of the genesis of her ordeal.
"I discovered the lump in my breast by accident and called my husband's attention to it. Together, we went to a diagnostic centre in Pako, Ajegunle area of Lagos State where a scan was prescribed. The result indicated that the lump was benign. We were told it was actually a cyst and not a malignant tumour as we initially feared."
Linda said was prescribed Augmentin tablets and some other antibiotics and the couple was made to believe that the drugs would melt off the lump. She didn't know it then, but the decision to follow the prescribed treatment turned out to be her undoing.
“To my surprise, the seed started growing even faster. The growth was so fast it covered almost half of the breast in no time. I became alarmed and on advice of concerned persons, decided to try out herbal medicine which I took orally and applied superficially on the breast. But there was no improvement.”
Linda has since been running from pillar to post in her quest for a cure. Her search for relief took her to various native doctors, traditional healers and Churches within and outside Lagos. But it was to no avail.
“I came back to Lagos hopeless. I went the NTA for help but unfortunately, they did not attend to us. My condition went from bad to worse. The lump became hard as stone and eventually covered my entire breast.
“It was at this point in time I was referred to LUTH where a medical consultant revealed that it was the antibiotics that triggered the abnormal growth of the tumour and worsened my condition. He said I ought to have removed the seed while it was still tender. He advised that the best option was to cut off the breast, but fear gripped me instantly at the thought of cutting off my breast at such a young age. I told my husband about the doctor's advice and he did not buy the idea either.”
Linda went back home, but as time went by, the breast began rottening and falling off bit by bit until it fell off entirely on its own.
“People thought I was going to die and I had no option than to go back to the hospital. With the little money we could gather, we went to LUTH again. The doctor chided me for not listening to his advice earlier.”
A Medical report from LUTH indicated Linda is being managed for invasive ductal carcinoma, SBR Grade III, synchronous bilateral breast cancer.
“This is a late stage cancer,” noted Consultant Oncologist and Head of the Department of Radiation/Oncology, LUTH, Professor A.T. Ajekigbe, while confirming Linda was registered at the surgical outpatient department of the health institution on April 26, 2013. Ajekigbe recalled the patient had earlier reported at the Accident & Emergency on 20th March, 2013 and was diagnosed with right breast ulcer.
Lamenting that most cancer patients present late at the hospital,when only palliative care can be provided, he urged that the earlier the presentation, the better the mangement. “Let this be a warning to others. Examine your body and if you find anything wrong, give a shout and people will come to your assistance.
“When she got to the Accident & Emergency, her case was bad. She had history of difficulty of moving the right hand. Also had some oedema, then she was referred. When she was first seen it was at a late stage. She had the disease at least 15 months earlier before presenting. She had difficulty breathing for about one week before presenting,” he observed.
Further, Ajekigbe said what Linda has on the right arm is known as Lymphodema. “It is different from oedema. In lymphoedema, the lymphatic system is involved as a result of which the swelling does not easily go down. What we do is to manage it to reduce the complications.
Further, the Consultant Oncologist explained: “The axilla is the armpit and the breast they are related. I call them first cousins. what ever happens to the breast most of the time will stretch to the armpit near it, and what happens to the breast may come from the armpit, they are so related. It is called the lymphatic drainage system. The upper part of the breast drains into the system. if a doctor examines your breast for whatever reason, the doctor must also look into the armpit to see if there is anything there. he must check the lymph nodes.
“Occasionally when breast cancer spreads to the axilla, it blocks the lymphatic drainage system. The fluid comes down quite right, but cannot go back because of the blockage, hence the swollem arm. We advise patients to alleviate that part as often as possible. “Often, we use crepe bandage to push the fluid back. We may also apply fortified cream through massage to push the fluid back. We can also use what is known as Flowtron to push back the fluid to provide relief.”
At this point in time, the tumour has spread to Linda’s right arm and hand. She has been placed on an eight-course chemotherapy at three-week intervals. She has currently completed four courses and has four to go. Each treatment course costs approximately N300,000, but when drugs and other essentials are factored in, in addition to requirement of care and support, rehabilitation, radiotherapy, plastic surgery, etc., the cost runs even higher.
[caption id="attachment_411961" align="alignnone" width="412"]
* Linda Godwin.[/caption]
To effectively manage the condition, Linda currently requires approximately N500,000 every three weeks over the next one year.
In a passionate appeal, Linda is calling for assistance. “I am on my knees imploring kind-hearted Nigerians at home and abroad to have compassion and come to my aid. I need urgent financial assistance to continue managing this disorder and eventually go abroad for better treatment. Please help save my life.
Linda’s husband, Godwin, a native of Oron in Akwa Ibom State and a stylist by profession was overcome with emotion as he spoke about his wife’s predicament.
He lamented how he was compelled to sell off his shop at a point to raise money for his wife’s treatment. "I have visited many places, spiritualists, herbalists, and even specialists and I have spent all I have on the treatment of this illness.
"I cannot even afford my son's school fees, and even feeding for my family has been a very big problem. My landlord has however been merciful to me as a result of my wife's condition as I owe him rent for over a year.
“All I can now offer to my wife is only moral support and encouragement. I appeal to Nigerians who can help to please assist me and my family as we hope to fly Linda abroad for further treatment.We shall be ever grateful and God will bless you as you respond."
If you wish to assist Linda, kindly send donations to Linda Godwin, Diamond Bank 0035014567, or call 08171334776 and 08038247106 for more details.
By SOLA OGUNDIPE
WHEN 25-year-old Linda Godwin, a primary school teacher residing at 11, Odofin Street, Olodi Apapa in Lagos, discovered a tiny lump (seed) in her right breast sometime in January 2012, she had no premonition she was on the threshold of a long and tortuous journey into the agonizing world of cancer.
Today Linda, who hails from Isi Umuozu, Nwangele LGA of Imo State, and is mother of a two and a half-year-old boy, is fighting the battle of her life against late-stage breast cancer.
In the hope to win the battle and survive, she is currently undergoing expensive chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos.
Linda who described her ordeal as the worst imaginable, is passionately appealing to all well meaning Nigerians for financial assistance to complete the therapy and to go abroad for further treatment.
Writhing and groaning in pains, she told a moving tale of anguish, regret and lamentation of the genesis of her ordeal.
"I discovered the lump in my breast by accident and called my husband's attention to it. Together, we went to a diagnostic centre in Pako, Ajegunle area of Lagos State where a scan was prescribed. The result indicated that the lump was benign. We were told it was actually a cyst and not a malignant tumour as we initially feared."
Linda said was prescribed Augmentin tablets and some other antibiotics and the couple was made to believe that the drugs would melt off the lump. She didn't know it then, but the decision to follow the prescribed treatment turned out to be her undoing.
“To my surprise, the seed started growing even faster. The growth was so fast it covered almost half of the breast in no time. I became alarmed and on advice of concerned persons, decided to try out herbal medicine which I took orally and applied superficially on the breast. But there was no improvement.”
Linda has since been running from pillar to post in her quest for a cure. Her search for relief took her to various native doctors, traditional healers and Churches within and outside Lagos. But it was to no avail.
“I came back to Lagos hopeless. I went the NTA for help but unfortunately, they did not attend to us. My condition went from bad to worse. The lump became hard as stone and eventually covered my entire breast.
“It was at this point in time I was referred to LUTH where a medical consultant revealed that it was the antibiotics that triggered the abnormal growth of the tumour and worsened my condition. He said I ought to have removed the seed while it was still tender. He advised that the best option was to cut off the breast, but fear gripped me instantly at the thought of cutting off my breast at such a young age. I told my husband about the doctor's advice and he did not buy the idea either.”
Linda went back home, but as time went by, the breast began rottening and falling off bit by bit until it fell off entirely on its own.
“People thought I was going to die and I had no option than to go back to the hospital. With the little money we could gather, we went to LUTH again. The doctor chided me for not listening to his advice earlier.”
A Medical report from LUTH indicated Linda is being managed for invasive ductal carcinoma, SBR Grade III, synchronous bilateral breast cancer.
“This is a late stage cancer,” noted Consultant Oncologist and Head of the Department of Radiation/Oncology, LUTH, Professor A.T. Ajekigbe, while confirming Linda was registered at the surgical outpatient department of the health institution on April 26, 2013. Ajekigbe recalled the patient had earlier reported at the Accident & Emergency on 20th March, 2013 and was diagnosed with right breast ulcer.
Lamenting that most cancer patients present late at the hospital,when only palliative care can be provided, he urged that the earlier the presentation, the better the mangement. “Let this be a warning to others. Examine your body and if you find anything wrong, give a shout and people will come to your assistance.
“When she got to the Accident & Emergency, her case was bad. She had history of difficulty of moving the right hand. Also had some oedema, then she was referred. When she was first seen it was at a late stage. She had the disease at least 15 months earlier before presenting. She had difficulty breathing for about one week before presenting,” he observed.
Further, Ajekigbe said what Linda has on the right arm is known as Lymphodema. “It is different from oedema. In lymphoedema, the lymphatic system is involved as a result of which the swelling does not easily go down. What we do is to manage it to reduce the complications.
Further, the Consultant Oncologist explained: “The axilla is the armpit and the breast they are related. I call them first cousins. what ever happens to the breast most of the time will stretch to the armpit near it, and what happens to the breast may come from the armpit, they are so related. It is called the lymphatic drainage system. The upper part of the breast drains into the system. if a doctor examines your breast for whatever reason, the doctor must also look into the armpit to see if there is anything there. he must check the lymph nodes.
“Occasionally when breast cancer spreads to the axilla, it blocks the lymphatic drainage system. The fluid comes down quite right, but cannot go back because of the blockage, hence the swollem arm. We advise patients to alleviate that part as often as possible. “Often, we use crepe bandage to push the fluid back. We may also apply fortified cream through massage to push the fluid back. We can also use what is known as Flowtron to push back the fluid to provide relief.”
At this point in time, the tumour has spread to Linda’s right arm and hand. She has been placed on an eight-course chemotherapy at three-week intervals. She has currently completed four courses and has four to go. Each treatment course costs approximately N300,000, but when drugs and other essentials are factored in, in addition to requirement of care and support, rehabilitation, radiotherapy, plastic surgery, etc., the cost runs even higher.
[caption id="attachment_411961" align="alignnone" width="412"]
* Linda Godwin.[/caption]To effectively manage the condition, Linda currently requires approximately N500,000 every three weeks over the next one year.
In a passionate appeal, Linda is calling for assistance. “I am on my knees imploring kind-hearted Nigerians at home and abroad to have compassion and come to my aid. I need urgent financial assistance to continue managing this disorder and eventually go abroad for better treatment. Please help save my life.
Linda’s husband, Godwin, a native of Oron in Akwa Ibom State and a stylist by profession was overcome with emotion as he spoke about his wife’s predicament.
He lamented how he was compelled to sell off his shop at a point to raise money for his wife’s treatment. "I have visited many places, spiritualists, herbalists, and even specialists and I have spent all I have on the treatment of this illness.
"I cannot even afford my son's school fees, and even feeding for my family has been a very big problem. My landlord has however been merciful to me as a result of my wife's condition as I owe him rent for over a year.
“All I can now offer to my wife is only moral support and encouragement. I appeal to Nigerians who can help to please assist me and my family as we hope to fly Linda abroad for further treatment.We shall be ever grateful and God will bless you as you respond."
If you wish to assist Linda, kindly send donations to Linda Godwin, Diamond Bank 0035014567, or call 08171334776 and 08038247106 for more details.
Mosquitoes can ‘smell’ humans at night - STUDY
A team of researchers have published in Naturethat the major malaria vector in Africa, the Anopheles gambiae mosquito, is able to smell major human host odorants better at night.
The study reports an integrative approach to examine the mosquito's ability to smell across the 24-hour day and involved sensory physiological, and behavioral techniques. The researchers examined the role for a major chemosensory family of mosquito proteins, odorant-binding proteins in the daily regulation of olfactory sensitivities in the malarial mosquito.
It is thought that OBPs in the insect antennae and mouth parts function to concentrate odorant molecules and assist in their transport to the actual olfactory receptors, thereby allowing for odorant detection. The team revealed daily rhythmic protein abundance of OBPs, having higher concentrations in the mosquito's sensory organs at night than during the day. This discovery could change the way we look at protecting ourselves from the disease-carrying insectss.
The study reports an integrative approach to examine the mosquito's ability to smell across the 24-hour day and involved sensory physiological, and behavioral techniques. The researchers examined the role for a major chemosensory family of mosquito proteins, odorant-binding proteins in the daily regulation of olfactory sensitivities in the malarial mosquito.
It is thought that OBPs in the insect antennae and mouth parts function to concentrate odorant molecules and assist in their transport to the actual olfactory receptors, thereby allowing for odorant detection. The team revealed daily rhythmic protein abundance of OBPs, having higher concentrations in the mosquito's sensory organs at night than during the day. This discovery could change the way we look at protecting ourselves from the disease-carrying insectss.
Depression, epilepsy, psychosis for treatment at PHCs in Lagos
By CHIOMA OBINNA
Patients suffering from depression,epilepsy and psychosis will soon have access to treatment at the primary healthcare, PHC, level in Lagos, if a new project initiated by Mental Health in Primary Care (MeHPriC),through grants from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) is anything to go by.
The new project which is the first of its kind in Nigeria is aimed at closing the gap in mental health management created by shortage of psychiatrists in the country.
It is also to shift the task of treatment to doctors and other health workers at PHC level to ensure only more chronic conditions are referred to tertiary facilities.
In chat in Lagos, Principal Investigator, Mental Health in Primary Care, MeHPriC, Dr. Abiodun Adewuya, explained that the programme is being funded by the Grand Challenges Canada, GCC, while the Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM, will manage the grant. The Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Primary Health Care Board,LSPHCB, are involved while the Centre for Mental Health Research and Initiative, CEMHRI, and the Institute of Psychiatrics, London are the other partners.
Adewuya said a research was conducted to implement and evaluate intervention for depression, epilepsy and psychosis tagged DEP in primary care in five divisions in Lagos called IBILE.
"The programme will ensure that each division under IBILE, which is an acronym for Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, covers five million persons living with Depression, Epilepsy and Psychosis, DEP.
Lamenting that Nigeria has less than 300 psychiatrists he said, just 32 currently worked in Lagos State.
Adewuya, who is also the Head of Department of Psychiatry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, said doctors, nurses and other health care workers at the PHC, will be trained to identify and treat DEP so that there would be increased access to evidenced-based intervention and improved health outcome in clients with DEP receiving the treatment.
Co-investigator, Prof Martins Prince said DEP under the project can be treated by building the capacity of doctors, nurses and other workers at the PHC level to identify their signs and symptoms.
Prince, a professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, identified major problems of mental health as under-diagnosis and under-treatment.
"We call the problem treatment gap. This is why the World Health Organisation programme is called MHgap. It is a global action plan. Mental health gap is about closing that treatment gap. The treatment gap is big actually in high income country such as the United Kingdom, probably about half of the people with depression in the UK go without treatment. But the treatment gap in low and middle income countries such as Nigeria are absolutely huge.
"In rural area of Africa, 90 per cent of people with psychosis never had treatment or care. Two-thirds of people living with epilepsy which is associated with stigma never had any treatment to their condition. We think four out of five people, which is 80 per cent in Nigeria, have serious episode of depression and do not have treatment. There is little awareness and people don't seek help and even if they do, it is through the traditional healers not from the bio-medical system," Prince said.
He noted that one of the biggest barriers was dearth of specialists. “There is lack of adequate psychiatrists, psychologists, community mental health nurses, which is why there was no specialist to take on this disease burden directly. So what we need to do is to mobilise the forces of public health in particular primary health care to be providing much of the treatment to the priority mental and neurological disorders which currently they don't do, they are not trained for it and no expectation that they should do it nor see it as part of their job.
But there is no reason why they shouldn't be engaged in this way. This will reduce the barriers and cut the cost of treatment and make treatment more accessible and reduce stigma. "Fundamentally what we are doing is that we are engaging in task sharing, we are using the specialist to advise, train and to supervise the non-specialist who are much greater in number to actually learn to be providing much of the combine treatment.
Depression affects one in seven in a PHC while psychosis affects about one per cent of the population. They are very chronic, disabling and serious condition where treatment can make a big difference to the outcome.
“If people with depression receives anti-depressant and people with psychosis receives anti-psychotic medication and support reabilitation at the community the outcome will greatly improve."
Adewuya said 13 people, which include three doctors, five nurses, three community health extension workers (CHEWS), one pharmacy technician and one social worker will be trained per each flagship PHC centre in each division. "Approximately 200 people are expected to receive the training," he said.
Patients suffering from depression,epilepsy and psychosis will soon have access to treatment at the primary healthcare, PHC, level in Lagos, if a new project initiated by Mental Health in Primary Care (MeHPriC),through grants from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) is anything to go by.
The new project which is the first of its kind in Nigeria is aimed at closing the gap in mental health management created by shortage of psychiatrists in the country.
It is also to shift the task of treatment to doctors and other health workers at PHC level to ensure only more chronic conditions are referred to tertiary facilities.
In chat in Lagos, Principal Investigator, Mental Health in Primary Care, MeHPriC, Dr. Abiodun Adewuya, explained that the programme is being funded by the Grand Challenges Canada, GCC, while the Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM, will manage the grant. The Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Primary Health Care Board,LSPHCB, are involved while the Centre for Mental Health Research and Initiative, CEMHRI, and the Institute of Psychiatrics, London are the other partners.
Adewuya said a research was conducted to implement and evaluate intervention for depression, epilepsy and psychosis tagged DEP in primary care in five divisions in Lagos called IBILE.
"The programme will ensure that each division under IBILE, which is an acronym for Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, covers five million persons living with Depression, Epilepsy and Psychosis, DEP.
Lamenting that Nigeria has less than 300 psychiatrists he said, just 32 currently worked in Lagos State.
Adewuya, who is also the Head of Department of Psychiatry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, said doctors, nurses and other health care workers at the PHC, will be trained to identify and treat DEP so that there would be increased access to evidenced-based intervention and improved health outcome in clients with DEP receiving the treatment.
Co-investigator, Prof Martins Prince said DEP under the project can be treated by building the capacity of doctors, nurses and other workers at the PHC level to identify their signs and symptoms.
Prince, a professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, identified major problems of mental health as under-diagnosis and under-treatment.
"We call the problem treatment gap. This is why the World Health Organisation programme is called MHgap. It is a global action plan. Mental health gap is about closing that treatment gap. The treatment gap is big actually in high income country such as the United Kingdom, probably about half of the people with depression in the UK go without treatment. But the treatment gap in low and middle income countries such as Nigeria are absolutely huge.
"In rural area of Africa, 90 per cent of people with psychosis never had treatment or care. Two-thirds of people living with epilepsy which is associated with stigma never had any treatment to their condition. We think four out of five people, which is 80 per cent in Nigeria, have serious episode of depression and do not have treatment. There is little awareness and people don't seek help and even if they do, it is through the traditional healers not from the bio-medical system," Prince said.
He noted that one of the biggest barriers was dearth of specialists. “There is lack of adequate psychiatrists, psychologists, community mental health nurses, which is why there was no specialist to take on this disease burden directly. So what we need to do is to mobilise the forces of public health in particular primary health care to be providing much of the treatment to the priority mental and neurological disorders which currently they don't do, they are not trained for it and no expectation that they should do it nor see it as part of their job.
But there is no reason why they shouldn't be engaged in this way. This will reduce the barriers and cut the cost of treatment and make treatment more accessible and reduce stigma. "Fundamentally what we are doing is that we are engaging in task sharing, we are using the specialist to advise, train and to supervise the non-specialist who are much greater in number to actually learn to be providing much of the combine treatment.
Depression affects one in seven in a PHC while psychosis affects about one per cent of the population. They are very chronic, disabling and serious condition where treatment can make a big difference to the outcome.
“If people with depression receives anti-depressant and people with psychosis receives anti-psychotic medication and support reabilitation at the community the outcome will greatly improve."
Adewuya said 13 people, which include three doctors, five nurses, three community health extension workers (CHEWS), one pharmacy technician and one social worker will be trained per each flagship PHC centre in each division. "Approximately 200 people are expected to receive the training," he said.
Hadassah Healing Foundation empowers 500 indigent women
By SOLA OGUNDIPE
NO less than 500 women in Lagos have acquired vocational and other life empowerment skills free of charge, courtesy of a community outreach programme put together by the Hadassah Healing Foundation.
Disclosing this to Good Health Weekly, the Founder, Hadassah Healing Foundation, and Co-Pastor, Maker’s Church, Pastor Adenike Lamai, said the beneficiaries were taught skils through which to be self-sustaining by starting small-scale businesses with as little as N10,000.
“Women are taught to appreciate that with just N10,000 - N20,000, they could start somethnig small. We taught them that if they could learn something, they could become self-dependent and responsible adults. “They started by learning empowering skills with which they would begin their various vocations. They were taught arts ranging from basket weaving and tailoring, to soap making and baking of pastries,” she noted.
Lamai explained that no less than six persons were identified for sponsorship. “We are calling them the 2013 Hadassah Ambassadors. The idea was to demonstrate that they can make a living.
“Once they learn this, we will follow them up, monitior them and ensure they are established and we know we have given back to society. It is to ensure these women make a living from what they have been able to establish.
“Once they run through the training we will establish them and buy them all the implements they need.
She explained that funding for the initiative came from kind-hearted Nigerian women and partners who want to empower other women.
The event kicked off August 10, 2013 at the Shogunle Community Town Hall, moved on to the Palace of Oba Rauf Adeniyi, Anifiowoshe, Ikeja; Government Senior Model College, Ikorodu and Akute Primary School, Akute.
It is part of the Hadassah Healing Conference 2013 which peaks in Lagos on September 14 at the Haven Events Centre, Ikeja, with the theme ‘New Wine’.
NO less than 500 women in Lagos have acquired vocational and other life empowerment skills free of charge, courtesy of a community outreach programme put together by the Hadassah Healing Foundation.
Disclosing this to Good Health Weekly, the Founder, Hadassah Healing Foundation, and Co-Pastor, Maker’s Church, Pastor Adenike Lamai, said the beneficiaries were taught skils through which to be self-sustaining by starting small-scale businesses with as little as N10,000.
“Women are taught to appreciate that with just N10,000 - N20,000, they could start somethnig small. We taught them that if they could learn something, they could become self-dependent and responsible adults. “They started by learning empowering skills with which they would begin their various vocations. They were taught arts ranging from basket weaving and tailoring, to soap making and baking of pastries,” she noted.
Lamai explained that no less than six persons were identified for sponsorship. “We are calling them the 2013 Hadassah Ambassadors. The idea was to demonstrate that they can make a living.
“Once they learn this, we will follow them up, monitior them and ensure they are established and we know we have given back to society. It is to ensure these women make a living from what they have been able to establish.
“Once they run through the training we will establish them and buy them all the implements they need.
She explained that funding for the initiative came from kind-hearted Nigerian women and partners who want to empower other women.
The event kicked off August 10, 2013 at the Shogunle Community Town Hall, moved on to the Palace of Oba Rauf Adeniyi, Anifiowoshe, Ikeja; Government Senior Model College, Ikorodu and Akute Primary School, Akute.
It is part of the Hadassah Healing Conference 2013 which peaks in Lagos on September 14 at the Haven Events Centre, Ikeja, with the theme ‘New Wine’.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
4 cups of coffee a day keep prostate cancer at bay
Coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer recurrence and progression, according to a new study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists.
Co-Director, Programme in Prostate Cancer Research in the Fred Hutch Public Health Sciences Division, Dr. Janet L. Stanford, conducted the study to determine whether the bioactive compounds in coffee and tea may prevent prostate cancer recurrence and delay progression of the disease.
Stanford and colleagues found that men who drank four or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 59 percent reduced risk of prostate cancer recurrence and/or progression as compared to those who drank only one or fewer cups per week.
They did not, however, find an association between coffee drinking and reduced mortality from prostate cancer, although the study included too few men who died of prostate cancer to address that issue separately.
Regarding tea consumption, the researchers did not find an associated reduction of prostate cancer recurrence and/or progression. The study also did not draw any conclusions regarding the impact of tea drinking on prostate-specific death.
It is the first investigation of potential association between tea consumption and prostate cancer outcomes.
The results are consistent with findings from Harvard's Health Professionals Follow-up study, which found that men who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had a 60 percent decreased risk of metastatic/lethal prostate cancer as compared to coffee abstainers.
Co-Director, Programme in Prostate Cancer Research in the Fred Hutch Public Health Sciences Division, Dr. Janet L. Stanford, conducted the study to determine whether the bioactive compounds in coffee and tea may prevent prostate cancer recurrence and delay progression of the disease.
Stanford and colleagues found that men who drank four or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 59 percent reduced risk of prostate cancer recurrence and/or progression as compared to those who drank only one or fewer cups per week.
They did not, however, find an association between coffee drinking and reduced mortality from prostate cancer, although the study included too few men who died of prostate cancer to address that issue separately.
Regarding tea consumption, the researchers did not find an associated reduction of prostate cancer recurrence and/or progression. The study also did not draw any conclusions regarding the impact of tea drinking on prostate-specific death.
It is the first investigation of potential association between tea consumption and prostate cancer outcomes.
The results are consistent with findings from Harvard's Health Professionals Follow-up study, which found that men who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had a 60 percent decreased risk of metastatic/lethal prostate cancer as compared to coffee abstainers.
Experts decry dearth of anaesthetists in Nigeria
By Chioma Obinna
LAGOS — Medical experts have decried dearth of anaesthetists in the country and called on Federal Government and the 36 states governors to invest in maternal and childcare through the establishment of Mother and Child Centres, MCCs, hospitals dedicated to the health and well being of mothers and children.
Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who are responsible for providing anaesthesia to patients for operations and other procedures.
League of Obstetric Anaesthetists of Nigeria, LOAN, at a briefing in Lagos ahead of its 3rd Annual Scientific Conference with the theme: “Mother and Child Centre, a Giant Stride Towards the Realisation of MDGs 4 & 5 and subtheme: Lumbar Epidural analgesia: an incentive for safe child birth”, decried the acute shortage of anaesthetists in Nigeria and said in Lagos that only 100 anaesthetists were serving 18 million people.
Describing it as a serious problem on the outcomes of medical treatments, President, Lagos Anaesthetists Association, Dr. A.A Mafe said there was need to train more Nigerians in the field of anaesthesia.
“We are grossly inadequate. Before now, in Lagos we have about 80 but with the establishment of the school in Badagry area of Lagos, we have been able to raise the number to 100. Lagos state is seriously doing something about it but there is need to for other states of the country to join in the fight.”
Calling on State governments to invest in maternal and child care by establishing MCCs in rural areas of the states, Mafe explained that MCC project has become a giant stride towards the realisation of MDGs 4 & 5.
LAGOS — Medical experts have decried dearth of anaesthetists in the country and called on Federal Government and the 36 states governors to invest in maternal and childcare through the establishment of Mother and Child Centres, MCCs, hospitals dedicated to the health and well being of mothers and children.
Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who are responsible for providing anaesthesia to patients for operations and other procedures.
League of Obstetric Anaesthetists of Nigeria, LOAN, at a briefing in Lagos ahead of its 3rd Annual Scientific Conference with the theme: “Mother and Child Centre, a Giant Stride Towards the Realisation of MDGs 4 & 5 and subtheme: Lumbar Epidural analgesia: an incentive for safe child birth”, decried the acute shortage of anaesthetists in Nigeria and said in Lagos that only 100 anaesthetists were serving 18 million people.
Describing it as a serious problem on the outcomes of medical treatments, President, Lagos Anaesthetists Association, Dr. A.A Mafe said there was need to train more Nigerians in the field of anaesthesia.
“We are grossly inadequate. Before now, in Lagos we have about 80 but with the establishment of the school in Badagry area of Lagos, we have been able to raise the number to 100. Lagos state is seriously doing something about it but there is need to for other states of the country to join in the fight.”
Calling on State governments to invest in maternal and child care by establishing MCCs in rural areas of the states, Mafe explained that MCC project has become a giant stride towards the realisation of MDGs 4 & 5.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Born without skull
WITH much expectation, the world is waiting to see OkikiJesu Olawuyi grab a fitting place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Many across the world want to see this happen. And what that means is that a Nigerian child is well on her way to making history once she scales the mountain of surgeries standing in her path of life.
OkikiJesu Olawuyi was born without a skull but not without a will to live. Bones from her hands are being obtained to construct a skull bone to help her live. Amazingly, she is winning this battle for her life at John Hopkins University in the United States of America.
First grade surgeons
There, the best hands the world can assemble are with her every passing hour fighting a medical war to give life to a miracle child who has announced to the entire human community that she has something different to offer. First grade surgeons – irrespective of colour, race and tongue are tasking their expertise to see that this wonder of the 21st century lives to tell her story and reports say that they are doing a great job to save her.
[caption id="attachment_406377" align="alignnone" width="412"]
OkikiJesu Olawuyi was born without a skull[/caption]
OkikiJesu is getting moral and material support from across the world to help her live. An avalanche of support is coming her way. Her parents are carrying the burden of pain and anguish with stoic patience. They are fighting to remedy a medical case they cannot tell how it all started. The child needs a lot more financial assistance to pull through, her father, Mr. Caleb Olawuyi, says. He disclosed that she needed an additional $500,000 to undergo the final operation that would enable her live a normal life. Experts say that is possible and they can achieve that. While appealing for generous support from government, corporate organizations and private individuals to help the baby live, Mr. Olawuyi, has equally urged government to set up funds to assist babies afflicted with critical ailments. Speaking straight from the heart, he noted that one needed to be close to a child in pains to know how it feels.
Since news of the child’s medical condition was disclosed, the world has been aghast. She was born on May 11, 2010 with a rare birth deformity which means over 50 per cent of her skull doesn’t exist. The world has not seen anything of this stuff as this medical condition has never been reported anywhere. The child’s condition is one that appears to have turned medicine on its head, having thrown up tremendous professional challenge to the human race. Now, the very best the world has known are fighting a crunchy battle to overcome this, leaving many – particularly those with hearts of stone- wondering if there is nothing they can offer to help.
Now from the home sector, help is coming for three-year-old Okiki and her parents. Since the condition of the baby became public knowledge, a non profit organization had stepped in to assist. Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC) has been doing all it can to give life to the child whose medical condition is not traceable to her parents. With the assistance of the organization’s Coordinator and Project Manager, Mr. Nuhu Kwajafa, the child and her parents were on May 4, 2013, flown to the United States. There, she is currently undergoing skull reconstruction surgery at the John Hopkins University Medical Centre.
Specialists in the USA have identified the rare birth deformity which OkikiJesu is suffering as Congenital Cranial Deficiency. Before now, she had been to several hospitals but not cured, but luck flashed on her pathway when GIPLC, which is based in Abuja took up her case.
Significant success
The organization, it was learnt, has recorded significant success in efforts to get medical care for her. Within just a week, it raised about $234,000, an equivalent of N37 million through kind gestures from individuals and groups for her treatment at John Hopkins Hospital.
Kwajafa, just back from the United States, said: “prior to the complications which arose, what made a determination of the full cost of Okiki’s surgery difficult is that in modern times, it is an extremely rare (perhaps singular) medical condition with no precedence to draw estimates from. This latter fact also means that it is equally difficult to tell what other medical complications may arise. An example are fluids that were retained in her cranial cavity which have posed an unforeseen challenge and may have led to a fatal infection.”
His worry is that “OkikiJesu may not be released from hospital until all outstanding bills have been paid. We and her parents are desirous of her condition being fully remedied before she leaves the hospital.” Against this backdrop, he said “We would like to appeal to the global public to support our cause in ensuring that OkikiJesu Olawuyi lives.”
Medical analysts believe she will be a living testimony if she recovers. According to GIPLC, her case remains the only one of its kind in the world.
When OkikiJesu’s father, Mr. Olawuyi spoke on telephone from John Hopkins Hospital, he expressed optimism that the girl was doing well and had remained in stable condition. He said “We thank God that she is responding positively to every operation performed on her. The doctors attending to her are also pleased with her present condition. They said she is a miracle child,because she is so far the only child in the world with this kind of health condition. They told us that there is no case of her type in medical history at their disposal the world over. There are three renowned doctors attending to OkikiJesu and the experience is so great. They keep assuring us that everything will be fine soon. We are also hoping positively and asking God to deliver our child.
“The major issue is the hospital bill and not really our up-keep, that is, myself, my wife and our 15-month old baby, (Okiki’s younger sister). She is currently at the intensive care unit (ICU). This costs between $6,000 and $10,000 daily.
Critical operations
Sometimes, two nurses are stationed to take care of her daily and it costs a lot of money. The good thing is that they are not taking any chance. They are all over her all the time. They are monitoring her regularly especially as she is an international patient. The bill is growing higher.
“We appeal to Nigerians not to give up on Okiki. With their support, God will not disappoint us because she keeps improving daily. All the operations have been very critical. They took bones from her hand and leg to construct her skull. And she is doing fine. We appreciate efforts by all Nigerians including individuals, groups and corporate organizations. Everybody has been very supportive. We thank the Nigerian government, the National Assembly, and particularly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and other kind-hearted people and members of our family for their support.
“On behalf of our daughter Okiki, and other children and parents in this condition, we urge government to institute a Special Trust Fund to take care of such rare and critical cases in the country. This fund should be adequately funded to cater for such critical needs. For us, Okiki’s parents, we are in this condition but hope that one day God will deliver us. In this situation, we repeat our appeal for quick intervention from the government and other Nigerians. Our wish here is that others should be spared this experience. We plead further with government to establish a fund to cater for such children in this condition.”
OkikiJesu Olawuyi was born without a skull but not without a will to live. Bones from her hands are being obtained to construct a skull bone to help her live. Amazingly, she is winning this battle for her life at John Hopkins University in the United States of America.
First grade surgeons
There, the best hands the world can assemble are with her every passing hour fighting a medical war to give life to a miracle child who has announced to the entire human community that she has something different to offer. First grade surgeons – irrespective of colour, race and tongue are tasking their expertise to see that this wonder of the 21st century lives to tell her story and reports say that they are doing a great job to save her.
[caption id="attachment_406377" align="alignnone" width="412"]
OkikiJesu Olawuyi was born without a skull[/caption]OkikiJesu is getting moral and material support from across the world to help her live. An avalanche of support is coming her way. Her parents are carrying the burden of pain and anguish with stoic patience. They are fighting to remedy a medical case they cannot tell how it all started. The child needs a lot more financial assistance to pull through, her father, Mr. Caleb Olawuyi, says. He disclosed that she needed an additional $500,000 to undergo the final operation that would enable her live a normal life. Experts say that is possible and they can achieve that. While appealing for generous support from government, corporate organizations and private individuals to help the baby live, Mr. Olawuyi, has equally urged government to set up funds to assist babies afflicted with critical ailments. Speaking straight from the heart, he noted that one needed to be close to a child in pains to know how it feels.
Since news of the child’s medical condition was disclosed, the world has been aghast. She was born on May 11, 2010 with a rare birth deformity which means over 50 per cent of her skull doesn’t exist. The world has not seen anything of this stuff as this medical condition has never been reported anywhere. The child’s condition is one that appears to have turned medicine on its head, having thrown up tremendous professional challenge to the human race. Now, the very best the world has known are fighting a crunchy battle to overcome this, leaving many – particularly those with hearts of stone- wondering if there is nothing they can offer to help.
Now from the home sector, help is coming for three-year-old Okiki and her parents. Since the condition of the baby became public knowledge, a non profit organization had stepped in to assist. Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC) has been doing all it can to give life to the child whose medical condition is not traceable to her parents. With the assistance of the organization’s Coordinator and Project Manager, Mr. Nuhu Kwajafa, the child and her parents were on May 4, 2013, flown to the United States. There, she is currently undergoing skull reconstruction surgery at the John Hopkins University Medical Centre.
Specialists in the USA have identified the rare birth deformity which OkikiJesu is suffering as Congenital Cranial Deficiency. Before now, she had been to several hospitals but not cured, but luck flashed on her pathway when GIPLC, which is based in Abuja took up her case.
Significant success
The organization, it was learnt, has recorded significant success in efforts to get medical care for her. Within just a week, it raised about $234,000, an equivalent of N37 million through kind gestures from individuals and groups for her treatment at John Hopkins Hospital.
Kwajafa, just back from the United States, said: “prior to the complications which arose, what made a determination of the full cost of Okiki’s surgery difficult is that in modern times, it is an extremely rare (perhaps singular) medical condition with no precedence to draw estimates from. This latter fact also means that it is equally difficult to tell what other medical complications may arise. An example are fluids that were retained in her cranial cavity which have posed an unforeseen challenge and may have led to a fatal infection.”
His worry is that “OkikiJesu may not be released from hospital until all outstanding bills have been paid. We and her parents are desirous of her condition being fully remedied before she leaves the hospital.” Against this backdrop, he said “We would like to appeal to the global public to support our cause in ensuring that OkikiJesu Olawuyi lives.”
Medical analysts believe she will be a living testimony if she recovers. According to GIPLC, her case remains the only one of its kind in the world.
When OkikiJesu’s father, Mr. Olawuyi spoke on telephone from John Hopkins Hospital, he expressed optimism that the girl was doing well and had remained in stable condition. He said “We thank God that she is responding positively to every operation performed on her. The doctors attending to her are also pleased with her present condition. They said she is a miracle child,because she is so far the only child in the world with this kind of health condition. They told us that there is no case of her type in medical history at their disposal the world over. There are three renowned doctors attending to OkikiJesu and the experience is so great. They keep assuring us that everything will be fine soon. We are also hoping positively and asking God to deliver our child.
“The major issue is the hospital bill and not really our up-keep, that is, myself, my wife and our 15-month old baby, (Okiki’s younger sister). She is currently at the intensive care unit (ICU). This costs between $6,000 and $10,000 daily.
Critical operations
Sometimes, two nurses are stationed to take care of her daily and it costs a lot of money. The good thing is that they are not taking any chance. They are all over her all the time. They are monitoring her regularly especially as she is an international patient. The bill is growing higher.
“We appeal to Nigerians not to give up on Okiki. With their support, God will not disappoint us because she keeps improving daily. All the operations have been very critical. They took bones from her hand and leg to construct her skull. And she is doing fine. We appreciate efforts by all Nigerians including individuals, groups and corporate organizations. Everybody has been very supportive. We thank the Nigerian government, the National Assembly, and particularly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and other kind-hearted people and members of our family for their support.
“On behalf of our daughter Okiki, and other children and parents in this condition, we urge government to institute a Special Trust Fund to take care of such rare and critical cases in the country. This fund should be adequately funded to cater for such critical needs. For us, Okiki’s parents, we are in this condition but hope that one day God will deliver us. In this situation, we repeat our appeal for quick intervention from the government and other Nigerians. Our wish here is that others should be spared this experience. We plead further with government to establish a fund to cater for such children in this condition.”
Monday, 22 July 2013
30 million girls risk genital mutilation - UNICEF
WASHINGTON (AFP) - More than 125 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation, and 30 million more girls are at risk in the next decade, UNICEF said Monday.
Although genital cutting is on the decline, the practice remains "almost universal" in some countries, said the UN Children Fund's report that spans 20 years of data across 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
The tradition involves removal of some or all of a female's external genitalia. It can include cutting out the clitoris and sometimes sewing together the labia.
Laws are not enough to stop the practice entirely, and more people must speak out in order to eliminate it among certain ethnic groups and communities, the researchers said.
Social acceptance is the most commonly cited reason for continuing the tradition, even though it is considered a violation of human rights, UNICEF found.
The practice "is becoming less common in slightly more than half of the 29 countries studied," said the report.
However, the tradition remains "remarkably persistent, despite nearly a century of attempts to eliminate it," it said.
"As many as 30 million girls are at risk of being cut over the next decade if current trends persist."
The ritual is practiced by various faiths, including Christians, Muslims and followers of African traditional religions. Some believe it improves a girl's marriage prospects, or that it is more aesthetically pleasing.
The report found the highest rates in Somalia, where 98 percent of females aged 15-49 have been cut, followed by 96 percent in Guinea, 93 percent in Djibouti and 91 percent in Egypt.
The amount of data for analysis varied from country to country, but some declines, even slight ones, were apparent over time.
"In Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania, for example, women aged 45-49 are approximately three times more likely to have been cut than girls aged 15-19," said the report.
Prevalence of genital cutting among teenage girls has dropped by about half in Benin, the Central African Republic, Iraq, Liberia and Nigeria.
In parts of Ghana, 60 percent of women in their 40s have undergone cutting, compared to 16 percent of teenagers.
In Togo, 28 percent of older women have been cut, compared to three percent of girls 15-19.
However, there was "no discernible decline in countries such as Chad, Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Sudan or Yemen," it said.
The report also found that even though the genital cutting is often considered a form of patriarchal control, there is a similar level of support among men and women for stopping it.
"Overall support for the practice is declining," said the report.
"Social norms and expectations within communities of like-minded individuals play a strong role in the perpetuation of the practice."
UNICEF said it should be open to greater public scrutiny, and called for groups that still practice the ritual to be exposed more to those that do not.
"The challenge now is to let girls and women, boys and men speak out loudly and clearly and announce they want this harmful practice abandoned," said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.
Last year, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution to intensify global efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation.
Although genital cutting is on the decline, the practice remains "almost universal" in some countries, said the UN Children Fund's report that spans 20 years of data across 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
The tradition involves removal of some or all of a female's external genitalia. It can include cutting out the clitoris and sometimes sewing together the labia.
Laws are not enough to stop the practice entirely, and more people must speak out in order to eliminate it among certain ethnic groups and communities, the researchers said.
Social acceptance is the most commonly cited reason for continuing the tradition, even though it is considered a violation of human rights, UNICEF found.
The practice "is becoming less common in slightly more than half of the 29 countries studied," said the report.
However, the tradition remains "remarkably persistent, despite nearly a century of attempts to eliminate it," it said.
"As many as 30 million girls are at risk of being cut over the next decade if current trends persist."
The ritual is practiced by various faiths, including Christians, Muslims and followers of African traditional religions. Some believe it improves a girl's marriage prospects, or that it is more aesthetically pleasing.
The report found the highest rates in Somalia, where 98 percent of females aged 15-49 have been cut, followed by 96 percent in Guinea, 93 percent in Djibouti and 91 percent in Egypt.
The amount of data for analysis varied from country to country, but some declines, even slight ones, were apparent over time.
"In Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania, for example, women aged 45-49 are approximately three times more likely to have been cut than girls aged 15-19," said the report.
Prevalence of genital cutting among teenage girls has dropped by about half in Benin, the Central African Republic, Iraq, Liberia and Nigeria.
In parts of Ghana, 60 percent of women in their 40s have undergone cutting, compared to 16 percent of teenagers.
In Togo, 28 percent of older women have been cut, compared to three percent of girls 15-19.
However, there was "no discernible decline in countries such as Chad, Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Sudan or Yemen," it said.
The report also found that even though the genital cutting is often considered a form of patriarchal control, there is a similar level of support among men and women for stopping it.
"Overall support for the practice is declining," said the report.
"Social norms and expectations within communities of like-minded individuals play a strong role in the perpetuation of the practice."
UNICEF said it should be open to greater public scrutiny, and called for groups that still practice the ritual to be exposed more to those that do not.
"The challenge now is to let girls and women, boys and men speak out loudly and clearly and announce they want this harmful practice abandoned," said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.
Last year, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution to intensify global efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation.
Monday, 15 July 2013
FG launches new HIV/AIDS response plan
BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday, launched a new, special purpose programme targeted at achieving universal access to the prevention, treatment, care and support for Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.
Tagged the “President’s Comprehensive Response Plan”, PCRP, the programme was developed to promote greater responsibility and accountability for HIV/AIDS responses at national and sub-national levels.
Data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, shows that 3.4 million Nigerians are living with HIV/AIDS.
Launching the new programme during the Abuja +12 Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other related infectious diseases, the President said the initiative was a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to the Abuja Declaration 2001.
“The government of Nigeria realizes that HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases pose a significant threat to human and economic development. We have developed this plan to accelerate implementation of key interventions with respect to HIV/AIDS.
[caption id="attachment_404173" align="alignnone" width="412"]
President Goodluck Jonathan with other African leaders shortly after the opening of the AU summit in Abuja, yesterday.[/caption]
President Jonathan said: “This programme will help us bridge existing service gaps, address key financial, system and coordination challenges in current HIV/AIDS response systems.
"I have also directed the immediate development of a new and creative framework for sustainable financing of health to meet the targeted objectives”.
Addressing delegates, the President observed that Africa made significant progress towards reduction of the incidence of the diseases during the intervening years since the national benchmarks of Abuja Declaration of 2001 and the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment in 2006.
He said: “As commendable and encouraging as these achievements are, our continent is still far from attaining all the targets to sufficiently secure the well-being of their country and their future.
“To consolidate our progress in addressing the heavy burden with increased urgency, develop a stronger, home grown, sustainable health financing framework, we must take ownership of the process, and drive its implementation".
Executive Director of the UNFPA, Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin, who delivered a speech on behalf of the UN Secretary General Bank Kimon, observed that strong leadership had been the key to the Africa’s successes in the HIV/AIDS campaign over the years.
“It began with the political commitments outlined in the original Abuja agreements that generated a low of funds from within Africa and the international community; scientific advances have also played a major role, along with the commitments of health workers continent-wide.
“Before the 2001 Abuja Declaration, HIV treatment in Africa was almost non-existent. Just 11 years later, 7.5 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Yet HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases still pose a significant threat to well-being and development in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Less than 1,000 days remain until the MDG deadline. The Goals are in sight, but much still needs to be done. Let us heed the warnings of history. Failure to maintain momentum can halt and even reverse progress.
“My call at Abuja+12 is for renewed leadership and increased domestic and international funding – new investment in improved tests and drugs, stronger services to deliver them,” the Secretary General stated.
President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday, launched a new, special purpose programme targeted at achieving universal access to the prevention, treatment, care and support for Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.
Tagged the “President’s Comprehensive Response Plan”, PCRP, the programme was developed to promote greater responsibility and accountability for HIV/AIDS responses at national and sub-national levels.
Data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, shows that 3.4 million Nigerians are living with HIV/AIDS.
Launching the new programme during the Abuja +12 Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other related infectious diseases, the President said the initiative was a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to the Abuja Declaration 2001.
“The government of Nigeria realizes that HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases pose a significant threat to human and economic development. We have developed this plan to accelerate implementation of key interventions with respect to HIV/AIDS.
[caption id="attachment_404173" align="alignnone" width="412"]
President Goodluck Jonathan with other African leaders shortly after the opening of the AU summit in Abuja, yesterday.[/caption]President Jonathan said: “This programme will help us bridge existing service gaps, address key financial, system and coordination challenges in current HIV/AIDS response systems.
"I have also directed the immediate development of a new and creative framework for sustainable financing of health to meet the targeted objectives”.
Addressing delegates, the President observed that Africa made significant progress towards reduction of the incidence of the diseases during the intervening years since the national benchmarks of Abuja Declaration of 2001 and the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment in 2006.
He said: “As commendable and encouraging as these achievements are, our continent is still far from attaining all the targets to sufficiently secure the well-being of their country and their future.
“To consolidate our progress in addressing the heavy burden with increased urgency, develop a stronger, home grown, sustainable health financing framework, we must take ownership of the process, and drive its implementation".
Executive Director of the UNFPA, Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin, who delivered a speech on behalf of the UN Secretary General Bank Kimon, observed that strong leadership had been the key to the Africa’s successes in the HIV/AIDS campaign over the years.
“It began with the political commitments outlined in the original Abuja agreements that generated a low of funds from within Africa and the international community; scientific advances have also played a major role, along with the commitments of health workers continent-wide.
“Before the 2001 Abuja Declaration, HIV treatment in Africa was almost non-existent. Just 11 years later, 7.5 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Yet HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases still pose a significant threat to well-being and development in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Less than 1,000 days remain until the MDG deadline. The Goals are in sight, but much still needs to be done. Let us heed the warnings of history. Failure to maintain momentum can halt and even reverse progress.
“My call at Abuja+12 is for renewed leadership and increased domestic and international funding – new investment in improved tests and drugs, stronger services to deliver them,” the Secretary General stated.
Saturday, 13 July 2013
UNAIDS maximises HIV treatment, prevention with ‘Treatment 2015’
By Sola Ogundipe
TOWARDS ensuring that 15 million People Living With HIV/AIDS, PLWA, in Nigeria and other African countries who require comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment have access to it by 2015, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, has launched a new strategy tagged “UNAIDS Treatment 2015 Initiative”.
The initiative outlines three fundamental pillars essential to reaching the 2015 target increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment services; mobilising resources and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of spending; and ensuring more people have access to antiretroviral therapy, came on the heels of reports by the World Health Organisation that average life expectancy for People Living With HIV/AIDS is 78 years,
‘Treatment 2015’ takes into account the new consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral, ARV, drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection just released by the World Health Organization recommending that people living with HIV start antiretroviral therapy, ART much earlier.
Launching the initiative at the International Conference Center, Abuja, as part of the official programme of the on-going Special Summit on HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibe, said HIV/AIDS treatment was about lives of people and making effective health delivery available to those who need it.
“No preventable death such as HIV/AIDS should continue to occur in Africa and the world in general . Reaching the 2015 target will be a critical milestone. Countries and partners need to urgently and strategically invest resources and efforts to ensure that everyone has access to HIV prevention and treatment services,” Sidibe remarked.
Minister of Health, Professor C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu,said the new treatment initiative is designed to enable People Living With HIV/AIDS to live longer and healthier lives and prevent new infections, by empowering countries and partners to come up with practical and innovative ways of increasing the number of people accessing treatment.
Chukwu, who gave the national perspective of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country, said the system needed to be revamped. “Emphasis is now that everyone must be on treatment and that those on treatment must complete it. HIV/AIDS is just a chronic disease and should be treated as such.
TOWARDS ensuring that 15 million People Living With HIV/AIDS, PLWA, in Nigeria and other African countries who require comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment have access to it by 2015, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, has launched a new strategy tagged “UNAIDS Treatment 2015 Initiative”.
The initiative outlines three fundamental pillars essential to reaching the 2015 target increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment services; mobilising resources and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of spending; and ensuring more people have access to antiretroviral therapy, came on the heels of reports by the World Health Organisation that average life expectancy for People Living With HIV/AIDS is 78 years,
‘Treatment 2015’ takes into account the new consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral, ARV, drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection just released by the World Health Organization recommending that people living with HIV start antiretroviral therapy, ART much earlier.
Launching the initiative at the International Conference Center, Abuja, as part of the official programme of the on-going Special Summit on HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibe, said HIV/AIDS treatment was about lives of people and making effective health delivery available to those who need it.
“No preventable death such as HIV/AIDS should continue to occur in Africa and the world in general . Reaching the 2015 target will be a critical milestone. Countries and partners need to urgently and strategically invest resources and efforts to ensure that everyone has access to HIV prevention and treatment services,” Sidibe remarked.
Minister of Health, Professor C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu,said the new treatment initiative is designed to enable People Living With HIV/AIDS to live longer and healthier lives and prevent new infections, by empowering countries and partners to come up with practical and innovative ways of increasing the number of people accessing treatment.
Chukwu, who gave the national perspective of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country, said the system needed to be revamped. “Emphasis is now that everyone must be on treatment and that those on treatment must complete it. HIV/AIDS is just a chronic disease and should be treated as such.
Monday, 1 July 2013
Nigeria’s HIV reduction rate slowest in the world
BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
The world’s most populous black country lags behind five other African countries - Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Angola - all classified as countries with slow declining HIV infection rates.
A report entitled “The 2013 Progress Report On the Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive, notes that while Botswana has the most rapid decline of HIV infection followed by Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, in Nigeria, the number of HIV infections among children aged 0-14 and women aged 18-49 has declined very slowly.
According to data sourced from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank, the Report states that childhood HIV infection rates dropped by just 8 percent from 65,000 in 2009 to 60,000 in 2012.
Further, only 1 in 10, or 12 percent (260,000) of children infected with HIV, were eligible for antiretroviral therapy in 2012, compared to 8 percent in 2009.
Data from the report also shows that the number of women of child-bearing age (15-49) acquiring HIV infection has not changed substantially since 2009. The number dropped marginally in four years from 120,000 to 110,000.
Worse still, only 20 percent of pregnant women living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral medicines to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
From the Report, Nigeria still accounts for one third of all new HIV infections among children in the 21 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa - the largest number of any country. The Report notes that “nearly all indicators assessed show stagnation and suggest that Nigeria is facing significant hurdles.
Other findings showed that the number of women becoming newly infected with HIV between 2009 and 2012 remains stable in most of the assessed countries. Only Ghana (44 percent) and South Africa (28 percent) have substantial declines in the number of women acquiring HIV infection.
PMTCT
Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV, PMTCT, is an intervention that provides drugs, counselling and psychological support to help mothers safeguard their infants against HIV.
The targets
2010 - 2015 National PMTCT scale up plan is to provide access to at least 90 percent of all
•Pregnant women to quality HIV counseling
and testing by 2015
•HIV positive pregnant women to more efficacious ARV prophylaxis by 2015
• HIV exposed infants to more efficacious ARV
prophylaxis by 2015
•HIV positive pregnant women to quality infant feeding counseling by 2015
•HIV exposed infants to early infant diagnosis services by 2015.
The challenges
•PMTCT programme coverage is still very limited in Nigeria. Less than 10 percent of Antenatal facilities ioffer PMTCT services.
•Scaling up PMTCT programmes to reach every pregnant woman and babay across the country.
•Ensuring primary prevention of HIV among women of reproductive age within services related to reproductive health such as antenatal care, postpartum/natal care and other health and HIV service delivery points, are lacking.
•Integrating of HIV care, treatment and support for women found to be positive and their families.The overall goal is to contribute to improved
The world’s most populous black country lags behind five other African countries - Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Angola - all classified as countries with slow declining HIV infection rates.
A report entitled “The 2013 Progress Report On the Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive, notes that while Botswana has the most rapid decline of HIV infection followed by Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, in Nigeria, the number of HIV infections among children aged 0-14 and women aged 18-49 has declined very slowly.
According to data sourced from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank, the Report states that childhood HIV infection rates dropped by just 8 percent from 65,000 in 2009 to 60,000 in 2012.
Further, only 1 in 10, or 12 percent (260,000) of children infected with HIV, were eligible for antiretroviral therapy in 2012, compared to 8 percent in 2009.
Data from the report also shows that the number of women of child-bearing age (15-49) acquiring HIV infection has not changed substantially since 2009. The number dropped marginally in four years from 120,000 to 110,000.
Worse still, only 20 percent of pregnant women living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral medicines to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
From the Report, Nigeria still accounts for one third of all new HIV infections among children in the 21 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa - the largest number of any country. The Report notes that “nearly all indicators assessed show stagnation and suggest that Nigeria is facing significant hurdles.
Other findings showed that the number of women becoming newly infected with HIV between 2009 and 2012 remains stable in most of the assessed countries. Only Ghana (44 percent) and South Africa (28 percent) have substantial declines in the number of women acquiring HIV infection.
PMTCT
Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV, PMTCT, is an intervention that provides drugs, counselling and psychological support to help mothers safeguard their infants against HIV.
The targets
2010 - 2015 National PMTCT scale up plan is to provide access to at least 90 percent of all
•Pregnant women to quality HIV counseling
and testing by 2015
•HIV positive pregnant women to more efficacious ARV prophylaxis by 2015
• HIV exposed infants to more efficacious ARV
prophylaxis by 2015
•HIV positive pregnant women to quality infant feeding counseling by 2015
•HIV exposed infants to early infant diagnosis services by 2015.
The challenges
•PMTCT programme coverage is still very limited in Nigeria. Less than 10 percent of Antenatal facilities ioffer PMTCT services.
•Scaling up PMTCT programmes to reach every pregnant woman and babay across the country.
•Ensuring primary prevention of HIV among women of reproductive age within services related to reproductive health such as antenatal care, postpartum/natal care and other health and HIV service delivery points, are lacking.
•Integrating of HIV care, treatment and support for women found to be positive and their families.The overall goal is to contribute to improved
‘How we carried out first metallic surgery in Nigeria’
BY CHIOMA OBINNA
“I saw him yesterday. For the first time in the past five years, he looked at his arm and burst into tears,” with these words Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham United Kingdom, UK, Dr. Segun Abudu, recounted how he and his team at the Lagoon Hospital Lagos successfully carried out the first metallic replacement of a whole arm bone and joints on a patient.
The surgical feat which is the first of its kind in West Africa, according to findings showed that only two or three centres could perform similar operations in UK.
Describing the feat as a pride to Nigeria and as one of the high-end surgery performed at Lagoon hospitals, Abudu noted that it is a testimony of top of the range specialists’ skills and care services available in the country.
Abudu said the “historic” surgery was performed on a banker in his late 30s who was involved in a road accident four years ago and was left with a nasty fracture of the right arm bone.
The patient’s arm was damaged in the accident and he could not use it for four years. The arm was also infected from the shoulder, down to the elbow. The patient had surgeries performed in four hospitals such that the bore failed to heal and got infected.
However, during the eight – hour surgery, Abudu and his team replaced the shoulder, elbow and arm to have what they describe as “a bionic man.”
Narrating the experience, Abudu said: “I have been to several countries doing this type of surgery and it really pained me that I am not able to offer same in Nigeria for years. Now have a hospital with the necessary facility that allows us to offer the surgery, is for me, God sent!
“It is important that as a country, we should be able to provide care for Nigerians in Nigeria and by Nigerians. I see it as a mark of national pride. Lagoon indeed allowed us to pride ourselves as a nation that we can deliver quality surgical services.
“He could not lift his hand, all the bones were infected. The only option available in many parts of the world would have been to amputate the arm. This man has not been able to go to work for three years. He was about to lose his source of livelihood. He has not been able to care for his family and that is not good prospect that any of us will like to bear.
“But the challenge then was how to remove all the infected bad bones. He had not moved the shoulder for about four years. The shoulder and the elbow were stalled there. Not only could he not do anything for years, he was feasibly deformed. We needed to be able to correct the deformity and give him an arm that works.”
Abudu explained that the surgery involved dissecting all the vessels, nerves and muscles to get to the bad bone; remove the whole of the arm from the shoulder. A specially made prosthesis (an artificial part of the body) was to replace the shoulder, elbow and the whole of the arm-bone.
“Not just that, though that allows him to move his shoulder and elbow to do other things, but he would still be deformed because the arm was short. So, we needed something that allows us to lengthen the arm so the arms will be equal in size again. And that is what we were able to do using expendable prosthesis.
“We worked with prosthesis engineer in this high-end surgery. Only 50 or 60 of these cases have been done in the whole of the UK ever. And I believe this is not a surgery that would have been done in Africa, certainly not in West Africa.”
An elated Abudu hinted that the team was able to carry out the surgery successfully, with the support of a competent team and facilities available in Lagoon hospital.
“It is not just being able to do the surgery that is important but being able to do it safely and successfully. The patient left the hospital about two weeks after the surgery and is currently undergoing physiotherapy. His surgeon expects him back at work in three months, though it will take another two months before he can drive his car. The prosthesis would last at least 20 years.
“I’m pleased that the Lagoon Hospital and its management – as a strategy – has thought it fit that Nigerians deserve to have good healthcare.
He further added that they have been able to review the first 80 cases of knee and hip replacement surgeries done in the hospital, adding that it is comparable to what obtains in the British National Registry.
Chief Executive Officer, Hygeia Group, Mr. Lars Stork said there was no need for Nigerians to travel abroad for medical services that could be obtained in the country.
“I saw him yesterday. For the first time in the past five years, he looked at his arm and burst into tears,” with these words Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham United Kingdom, UK, Dr. Segun Abudu, recounted how he and his team at the Lagoon Hospital Lagos successfully carried out the first metallic replacement of a whole arm bone and joints on a patient.
The surgical feat which is the first of its kind in West Africa, according to findings showed that only two or three centres could perform similar operations in UK.
Describing the feat as a pride to Nigeria and as one of the high-end surgery performed at Lagoon hospitals, Abudu noted that it is a testimony of top of the range specialists’ skills and care services available in the country.
Abudu said the “historic” surgery was performed on a banker in his late 30s who was involved in a road accident four years ago and was left with a nasty fracture of the right arm bone.
The patient’s arm was damaged in the accident and he could not use it for four years. The arm was also infected from the shoulder, down to the elbow. The patient had surgeries performed in four hospitals such that the bore failed to heal and got infected.
However, during the eight – hour surgery, Abudu and his team replaced the shoulder, elbow and arm to have what they describe as “a bionic man.”
Narrating the experience, Abudu said: “I have been to several countries doing this type of surgery and it really pained me that I am not able to offer same in Nigeria for years. Now have a hospital with the necessary facility that allows us to offer the surgery, is for me, God sent!
“It is important that as a country, we should be able to provide care for Nigerians in Nigeria and by Nigerians. I see it as a mark of national pride. Lagoon indeed allowed us to pride ourselves as a nation that we can deliver quality surgical services.
“He could not lift his hand, all the bones were infected. The only option available in many parts of the world would have been to amputate the arm. This man has not been able to go to work for three years. He was about to lose his source of livelihood. He has not been able to care for his family and that is not good prospect that any of us will like to bear.
“But the challenge then was how to remove all the infected bad bones. He had not moved the shoulder for about four years. The shoulder and the elbow were stalled there. Not only could he not do anything for years, he was feasibly deformed. We needed to be able to correct the deformity and give him an arm that works.”
Abudu explained that the surgery involved dissecting all the vessels, nerves and muscles to get to the bad bone; remove the whole of the arm from the shoulder. A specially made prosthesis (an artificial part of the body) was to replace the shoulder, elbow and the whole of the arm-bone.
“Not just that, though that allows him to move his shoulder and elbow to do other things, but he would still be deformed because the arm was short. So, we needed something that allows us to lengthen the arm so the arms will be equal in size again. And that is what we were able to do using expendable prosthesis.
“We worked with prosthesis engineer in this high-end surgery. Only 50 or 60 of these cases have been done in the whole of the UK ever. And I believe this is not a surgery that would have been done in Africa, certainly not in West Africa.”
An elated Abudu hinted that the team was able to carry out the surgery successfully, with the support of a competent team and facilities available in Lagoon hospital.
“It is not just being able to do the surgery that is important but being able to do it safely and successfully. The patient left the hospital about two weeks after the surgery and is currently undergoing physiotherapy. His surgeon expects him back at work in three months, though it will take another two months before he can drive his car. The prosthesis would last at least 20 years.
“I’m pleased that the Lagoon Hospital and its management – as a strategy – has thought it fit that Nigerians deserve to have good healthcare.
He further added that they have been able to review the first 80 cases of knee and hip replacement surgeries done in the hospital, adding that it is comparable to what obtains in the British National Registry.
Chief Executive Officer, Hygeia Group, Mr. Lars Stork said there was no need for Nigerians to travel abroad for medical services that could be obtained in the country.
Patronise only registered pharmacies, Nigerians told
BY CHIOMA OBINNA
Safe medicines for Nigerians can only be guaranteed when pharmacists provide the right pharmaceutical care, and when patients and the general public patronise only registered pharmacies, where experts are available to provide safe medicines and pharmaceutical care.
To this end, as part of strategies to fight quackery in the pharmacy practice, a new logo, vision and mission statement has been unveiled by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN.
The pharmacists who gathered at the 32nd National Conference of ACPN, in Calabar, River s State last week, “Land of Paradise 2013”, former Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Tourism, Land and Physical Planning, Ahmed Yakasai, who spoke on the theme of the “Safe Medicine for Nigerians – Community Pharmacists’ Perspectives” said safe medicines, as defined by World Health Organization, WHO, satisfy the priority and health care needs of the population and selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety as well as comparative cost- effectiveness.
Yakasai said safe medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems, at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, as well as at a price the individual and the community can afford. “The vision of WHO is that people everywhere have access to the safe medicines and health products they need, that the medicines and health products are safe, effective and of assured quality, and that medicines are prescribed and used rationally.”
Yakasai regretted that although access to safe medicines is part of the human right to health, Nigeria is faced with an uncoordinated drug distribution system, which is not in line with the good drug supply management that the national drug policy stipulates.
Acting Registrar, Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, PCN, Mrs. Gloria Abumere, explained that medicines are crucial to human existence. “Lives have been terminated through the wrong use of drugs, while medical conditions can also be made worse through inappropriate use of medicines. And this is where the community pharmacist comes in.”
Unveiling the new logo, mission and vision statement, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, urged the pharmacists to embrace the labelling software initiative, which addresses irrational drug use and medication errors.
Safe medicines for Nigerians can only be guaranteed when pharmacists provide the right pharmaceutical care, and when patients and the general public patronise only registered pharmacies, where experts are available to provide safe medicines and pharmaceutical care.
To this end, as part of strategies to fight quackery in the pharmacy practice, a new logo, vision and mission statement has been unveiled by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN.
The pharmacists who gathered at the 32nd National Conference of ACPN, in Calabar, River s State last week, “Land of Paradise 2013”, former Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Tourism, Land and Physical Planning, Ahmed Yakasai, who spoke on the theme of the “Safe Medicine for Nigerians – Community Pharmacists’ Perspectives” said safe medicines, as defined by World Health Organization, WHO, satisfy the priority and health care needs of the population and selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety as well as comparative cost- effectiveness.
Yakasai said safe medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems, at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, as well as at a price the individual and the community can afford. “The vision of WHO is that people everywhere have access to the safe medicines and health products they need, that the medicines and health products are safe, effective and of assured quality, and that medicines are prescribed and used rationally.”
Yakasai regretted that although access to safe medicines is part of the human right to health, Nigeria is faced with an uncoordinated drug distribution system, which is not in line with the good drug supply management that the national drug policy stipulates.
Acting Registrar, Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, PCN, Mrs. Gloria Abumere, explained that medicines are crucial to human existence. “Lives have been terminated through the wrong use of drugs, while medical conditions can also be made worse through inappropriate use of medicines. And this is where the community pharmacist comes in.”
Unveiling the new logo, mission and vision statement, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, urged the pharmacists to embrace the labelling software initiative, which addresses irrational drug use and medication errors.
Lagos moves to eliminate childhood blindness
*Screens 65,587 pupils; trains 1,304 teachers on poor vision
By CHIOMA OBINNA
With a report from the World Health Organisation, WHO showing that developing countries like Nigeria contribute 60 percent of children out of the 500,000 children that become blind each year, the Lagos state government has moved to eliminate childhood blindness in the state.
To this end, the State government has screened and managed appropriately over 65,587 pupils as well as trained a total of 1,304 teachers on how to identify early a pupil that has poor vision.
According to the WHO report, no fewer than 1.5 million children are blind in the world unfortunately, 60 percent of these children die within 1 year of going blind and about 50 percent of causes of childhood blindness are preventable or treatable.
Speaking in Lagos, the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris who noted that good eye sight is key to academic success, said the school eye screening programme was initiated in 2000, it was expanded in 2012 to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the state.
“Poor vision and eye health significantly affect the capacity of children to learn and succeed academically. Not seeing clearly means being less able to learn as fast or as well as children with good vision leading to lower marks, de-motivation and demoralisation, social and emotional problems frequently accompany educational problem.”
Already 501 schools have been equipped with vision screening kits to carry out eye screening for the pupils.
Idris announced further expansion of the programme and hinted that plans have been concluded to train two teachers from each school, as well as installation of Vision Corridor in the 802 schools in the state. The free eye screening programme is also to be extended to all schools in Lagos.
Director of the Eye Free School Programme, Dr. Shokunbi Olufunmilayo said out of the 17,572 pupils already screened, 13,626 have poor vision and have been issued corrective glasses while those with minor disorders treated appropriately.
Meanwhile, the second batch of the teachers’ training is ongoing, even as Olufunmilayo expressed worry at the rate at which children come down with poor eyesight. “Mothers should immunise their children with all the vaccines made available by the government and also vitamin A supplements during immunisation.
Nursing mothers should also learn to breast feed their children appropriately.
“School children should always read with good source of light not dim light and they should not expose themselves too much to sun light,” she added.
By CHIOMA OBINNA
With a report from the World Health Organisation, WHO showing that developing countries like Nigeria contribute 60 percent of children out of the 500,000 children that become blind each year, the Lagos state government has moved to eliminate childhood blindness in the state.
To this end, the State government has screened and managed appropriately over 65,587 pupils as well as trained a total of 1,304 teachers on how to identify early a pupil that has poor vision.
According to the WHO report, no fewer than 1.5 million children are blind in the world unfortunately, 60 percent of these children die within 1 year of going blind and about 50 percent of causes of childhood blindness are preventable or treatable.
Speaking in Lagos, the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris who noted that good eye sight is key to academic success, said the school eye screening programme was initiated in 2000, it was expanded in 2012 to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the state.
“Poor vision and eye health significantly affect the capacity of children to learn and succeed academically. Not seeing clearly means being less able to learn as fast or as well as children with good vision leading to lower marks, de-motivation and demoralisation, social and emotional problems frequently accompany educational problem.”
Already 501 schools have been equipped with vision screening kits to carry out eye screening for the pupils.
Idris announced further expansion of the programme and hinted that plans have been concluded to train two teachers from each school, as well as installation of Vision Corridor in the 802 schools in the state. The free eye screening programme is also to be extended to all schools in Lagos.
Director of the Eye Free School Programme, Dr. Shokunbi Olufunmilayo said out of the 17,572 pupils already screened, 13,626 have poor vision and have been issued corrective glasses while those with minor disorders treated appropriately.
Meanwhile, the second batch of the teachers’ training is ongoing, even as Olufunmilayo expressed worry at the rate at which children come down with poor eyesight. “Mothers should immunise their children with all the vaccines made available by the government and also vitamin A supplements during immunisation.
Nursing mothers should also learn to breast feed their children appropriately.
“School children should always read with good source of light not dim light and they should not expose themselves too much to sun light,” she added.
Govt must invest in our health — OSHOTIMEHIN
BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the UNFPA, and former Nigerian Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, has urged Nigeria and other developing countries to commit more resources towards ensuring better health and education for the people.
Oshotimehin, who asserted that Nigerians have a right to health, told Good Health Weekly in an exclusive chat, that a developing country would not advance if it does not invest in the health and welfare of its people.
“Developing countries must be compelled to look at their priorities in a different way from the developed countries. There is no way a developing country can develop if it does not invest in its greatest resource - the people.
“You do not get services if you do not pay. I do not think governments can continue to hope that these things will happen. It is not just about talking, but about putting money on the table,” he remarked.
Arguing for sustained quality of care, the UNFPA chief executive explained that there are various steps to ensure the final beneficiary gets the care.
“I have always been an advocate for the belief that human capacity development is the most important investment a country can make to provide sustainable development. I think that is a major shift in the thinking that must happen for us to move forward. I know of countries that have recently developed and are spending up to 60 percent of their budget on health and education.
Further, Oshotimehin said: “There are two things I have noticed. First we know that most governments in Africa depend on overseas assistance to treat HIV patients. That is not acceptable because if suddenly there is change in government, which we have seen before, there could be a change in ideology. People would take away their resources from the government and what happens? Patients would be left on the ledge.
“The second has to do with Nigeria. There was a period when the USAID was responsible for almost all the immunisation for our children., then there was a change in government, and the USAID withdrew. At that time USAID was providing immunisation for almost 83 percent of our children. When they left, our immunisation coverage dropped to about 20 percent.
“We have to take those difficult decisions to put resources for the health and education of our people. It is the smart thing to do. As government, we are not doing the people any favour when we ensure they are healthy or educated/ What we are doing is making sure we have sustainability in the system. It is a decision that must be taken.”
Oshotimehin recalled that in 2000, Africa resolved to commit 15 percent budget to health, but just six or seven countries out of the initial 52 have actually kept to that pledge. “Political will must be translated into resources, and the good resources must be utilised judiciously.
“I have a World Bank data that demonstrates that only 10 percent of what we spend on health is from Official Development Assistance, while 90 per cent is from domestic resources, but what is hidden and what the Report also shows is that 70 percent of that 90 percentis from out of pocket, so seeking health care in our country impoverishes the average person because they have to pay for everything from their pocket, which is why the health seeking behaviour is not there.
“If there is no money they do not go anywhere. They may end up in a church or somewhere. That is what happens. Governments have to do something about that. The fact that a woman is expecting doesn't mean she has to be poor. We should find ways to ensure that essential care is available without people tipping themselves into poverty.
We need to support the system and make sure we refine it to deliver good to more people than before,” Oshotimehin concluded.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the UNFPA, and former Nigerian Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, has urged Nigeria and other developing countries to commit more resources towards ensuring better health and education for the people.
Oshotimehin, who asserted that Nigerians have a right to health, told Good Health Weekly in an exclusive chat, that a developing country would not advance if it does not invest in the health and welfare of its people.
“Developing countries must be compelled to look at their priorities in a different way from the developed countries. There is no way a developing country can develop if it does not invest in its greatest resource - the people.
“You do not get services if you do not pay. I do not think governments can continue to hope that these things will happen. It is not just about talking, but about putting money on the table,” he remarked.
Arguing for sustained quality of care, the UNFPA chief executive explained that there are various steps to ensure the final beneficiary gets the care.
“I have always been an advocate for the belief that human capacity development is the most important investment a country can make to provide sustainable development. I think that is a major shift in the thinking that must happen for us to move forward. I know of countries that have recently developed and are spending up to 60 percent of their budget on health and education.
Further, Oshotimehin said: “There are two things I have noticed. First we know that most governments in Africa depend on overseas assistance to treat HIV patients. That is not acceptable because if suddenly there is change in government, which we have seen before, there could be a change in ideology. People would take away their resources from the government and what happens? Patients would be left on the ledge.
“The second has to do with Nigeria. There was a period when the USAID was responsible for almost all the immunisation for our children., then there was a change in government, and the USAID withdrew. At that time USAID was providing immunisation for almost 83 percent of our children. When they left, our immunisation coverage dropped to about 20 percent.
“We have to take those difficult decisions to put resources for the health and education of our people. It is the smart thing to do. As government, we are not doing the people any favour when we ensure they are healthy or educated/ What we are doing is making sure we have sustainability in the system. It is a decision that must be taken.”
Oshotimehin recalled that in 2000, Africa resolved to commit 15 percent budget to health, but just six or seven countries out of the initial 52 have actually kept to that pledge. “Political will must be translated into resources, and the good resources must be utilised judiciously.
“I have a World Bank data that demonstrates that only 10 percent of what we spend on health is from Official Development Assistance, while 90 per cent is from domestic resources, but what is hidden and what the Report also shows is that 70 percent of that 90 percentis from out of pocket, so seeking health care in our country impoverishes the average person because they have to pay for everything from their pocket, which is why the health seeking behaviour is not there.
“If there is no money they do not go anywhere. They may end up in a church or somewhere. That is what happens. Governments have to do something about that. The fact that a woman is expecting doesn't mean she has to be poor. We should find ways to ensure that essential care is available without people tipping themselves into poverty.
We need to support the system and make sure we refine it to deliver good to more people than before,” Oshotimehin concluded.
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